Decriminalization and destigmatization are practical approaches that aim to reduce the real-world harms of drug use by removing penalties and social barriers that prevent people from seeking help.

The idea is that people engaged in harmful activity will do so anyway, so let’s make their life a little easier and eventually try to convince them to stop. This philosophy results in things like safe consumption sites, needle exchange programs and of course the natural conclusion: free government supplied drugs.

Once addicts are safer and more secure, only then can they be convinced to seek treatment. And if they don’t want to, then at least they’re better off than they used to be.

One thing is for sure: none of this encourages more people to continue spiraling into their dangerous addition.

But why stop there? Let’s apply it to other harmful irrational behaviors, like alcohol.

Alcoholism is a serious problem. 29 million Americans suffered from some kind alcohol use disorder in the last year. Alcohol is easily the most harmful drug out there. The problem is we have neglected applying these great new preventative techniques on the most obvious candidate.

Government run bars are just the start.

The top 10% of American drinkers (about 24 million adults) consumed an average of 74 alcoholic drinks per week, which translates to about 10 drinks per day. That can’t be cheap to support, leading to other problems like marital and debt issues. Some alcoholics end up consuming dangerous forms of alcohol